0

TOP 3 Best Digital Handheld Scanners In 2024

Looking for the best Digital Handheld Scanner? After thorough research, we focused on Uniden scanners due to their market dominance.

First, we have an excellent budget option that blends classic design with modern digital capabilities, perfect for those who want quality without breaking the bank.

Next, we feature a premium scanner packed with advanced features and a sleek design, ideal for users looking for top-tier performance and reliability.

And finally, our top choice offers comprehensive features and impressive performance, making it the ultimate scanner for enthusiasts who need the best at a reasonable price.

So let’s get started!

Number 3. Uniden Bearcat BCD160DN – Best Budget Digital Handheld Scanner

Uniden Bearcat BCD160DN is a new offering from the company, which takes the classic Uniden scanner design to a digital setting. It stays with budget-conscious pricing, though it’s more expensive than the classic analog models like the Uniden BC125AT.

These models have similar form factors but different capabilities. Bearcat BCD160DN can work with digital and analog frequencies alike, which is more relevant to the modern world with increasing digital transmissions. The presence of digital options and more refined analog features puts this model ahead of analog-only scanners like the BC125AT and the relatively recent Bearcat SR30C.

The scanner can operate in three modes; digital, analog, and both. In the digital mode, it will receive DMR and NXDN communications. It can also pick up trunked DMR signals, which is a plus, but it doesn’t scan P25 frequencies or work with encrypted communication.

Its performance over DMR is impressive and perhaps the best at this price point. I’d say it works better than higher-priced competitors like the Whistler 1040.

As for the conventional analog signals, the performance is average and similar to other radios in this category. It’s quick to scan and can decode DCS/CTCSS codes, and allows custom search with frequencies entered by the user.

If you’re not sure what frequencies work in your area, you can still rely on Service Search options on the scanner, which works with a pre-programmed list of frequencies allocated to specific services. These include airband, commercial radio, FRS, GMRS, MURS, CB radio, marine radio, and more. They have even left room for custom options that the user can set up.

Once you have the frequencies you’d like to listen to, you can add them to the 10 memory banks on the scanner. The banks are numbered 0-9 but have customized names for better user experience. Additionally, the scanner can receive weather channels from NOAA, weather alerts, and enables users to program for Specific Area Messaging System) groups of the weather service.

Since this is a scanner, the audio plays an important part in its performance. The 0.8W main speaker is pretty good at its job and delivers clear audio. It’s also possible to use headphones, and the company recommends using monaural earphones.

As for the battery, this scanner draws power from a rechargeable 2300 mAh NiMH battery. These are essentially two AA batteries, and it’s also possible to use alkaline or other rechargeable batteries, though only compatible chargers should be used.

Overall, Uniden Bearcat BCD160DN is a well-priced modern radio scanner that’s useful for a hobbyist who wants to explore the digital side of scanners, without upping the expense.

To sum up, what we like is the…

Simple and familiar form factor
Attractive pricing
Can receive analog, DMR, and NXDN
Good signal reception and audio quality
Can work with rechargeable and alkaline batteries.

On the downside…
Doesn’t scan P25 frequencies
Programming can be challenging for new users.

Our Ratings
Build Quality: 8.5/10
Scanning Performance: 8/10
Audio Quality: 8/10
Features: 8/10
Value for Money: 9/10
Overall Rating: 8/10

Number 2. Uniden SDS100 – Best Premium Digital Handheld Scanner

Uniden SDS100 has firmly established itself as a feature-rich, high-quality digital scanner. So, it’s no surprise that it finds a spot on our list. The scanner has quite a presence with its large color display, big battery, and stylish design. These features are quite likable and useful, but they also mean that it is large and bulky.

The battery forms a bump at the lower back of the scanner, which almost puts it level with the belt clip placed at the top. The clip still works, but it feels somewhat uncomfortable and makes you wonder if you should hang an expensive scanner like that. Personally, I feel reassured by either using the lanyard, a case, or putting it in a pocket.

This setup also means you cannot use this radio with disposable batteries or other rechargeable batteries. While it isn’t unheard of, it is somewhat unusual for handheld scanners. However this is necessary since conventional options can’t handle the power requirements. The scanner needs at least 1A current to charge, and the wall charger is rated at 2A. The good thing is that all that power is put to good use with features.

One of the more impressive features is its ability to handle simulcast transmissions. It uses an SDR approach to work with simulcasts, putting it ahead of most other scanners. This includes the slightly lower-placed model in the lineup, the Uniden BCD436HP, which can’t handle simulcast transmissions and lacks a color screen.

A more comparable scanner for the SDS100 would be the Uniden SDS200. However, that is more of a base model variant of the SDS100, though the larger display sure is alluring.

That’s not to say that the 3.5-inch display on the SDS100 is any less appealing as it suits the qualities of a flagship handheld scanner. The bright color display is customizable and you can set up a detailed display with information like noise indicator, TGID, RSSI, and more.

Moving on, it can receive a wide range of analog frequencies, including Airband, CB radio, and most others. It can also receive weather channels, alerts, and works with SAME codes. The performance on digital signals is as impressive and it can receive several signals, except encrypted communication. These include P25, DMR Tier III, MotoTRBO, NXDN, and more. However, these services are paid upgrades and users have to shell out up to $60 for each. These upgrades, along with the initial premium pricing make it an expensive deal.

Overall, Uniden SDS100 is an impressive and feature-rich handheld digital scanner. It is best suited for users who don’t mind paying a premium for features and additional offerings.

To sum up, what we like is the…
Customizable color display with many details
Handles simulcasts quite well
Good battery capacity
Receives a wide range of analog and digital signals
Good signal reception and audio quality

On the downside…
Can feel big and bulky
Usually doesn’t charge while scanning
Many digital services are paid upgrades purchased separately.

Our Ratings
Build Quality: 8.5/10
Scanning Performance: 8.5/10
Audio Quality: 8/10
Features: 9.5/10
Value for Money: 8/10
Overall Rating: 9/10

Number 1. Uniden BCD436HP – Our Top Choice

Uniden BCD436HP is full of features and is amongst the best digital handheld scanners available, making it our top choice for this category. It has a solid build and can cover analog and digital signals, making it very useful for the current setting.

It’s worth mentioning that this model shares most of its features with the higher-priced Uniden model, we discussed about earlier the SDS100. The flagship model has some advantages like a color screen, better simulcast handling, bigger SD card memory at 8GB, and faster scanning. However, the BCD436HP is more competitively priced and offers similar performance.

It can work using a 4GB SD card that’s loaded with database information on the frequencies and locations across the USA and Canada. This works seamlessly with the HomePatrol feature, where you can enter your location or ZIP code, and the scanner pulls relevant frequencies, including weather channels and SAME alert settings for your location. It is also GPS-compatible, though not all models come with GPS built-in. If GPS data is available, the scanner automatically picks up relevant frequencies for your location.

The scanner and database can include frequencies over a 50-mile radius, however, while the range is impressive, it may not necessarily be useful and can make scanning slow. For most users, limiting the range to 5-10 miles delivers best performance. The relevant information is easily available and visible on the large customizable and detailed display.

While the display is rich in information, the resolution is a bit low, making it difficult to read for some users. This is one of the aspects where the competing scanner Whistler TRX-1 performs better than the BCD436HP. It displays text and information relatively more clearly. However, the Whistler scanner doesn’t perform as well on digital reception, trunked signals, or the range of digital services available.

It can receive several digital and trunked signals, including DMR Tier III, NXDN, P25, EDACS, and more. However, most of these services aren’t directly available and each service must be purchased separately for a fee. By contrast, the TRX-1 doesn’t require any additional purchase.

Needless to say, its performance with analog signals is impressive and it covers most frequencies, except those prohibited by law, like mobile phone frequencies. Though the audio isn’t stunning, it is clear and crisp. There’s also a useful Instant Replay feature that plays back the last 240 seconds of the most recent transmissions.

You must know however that it is not beginner friendly since navigating the features and menus can be difficult and overwhelming for a new user. And the owner’s manual is quite cursory over a lot of features. So, new users might have to persevere a bit to get the most out of this handheld scanner.

Overall, Uniden BCD436HP is a well-made and sturdy digital handheld scanner that’s useful for most enthusiasts, especially those who want to keep up with the ever-increasing digital signal adoption. Beginners might find the features overwhelming, but they can use this scanner with some effort and research.

To sum up, what we like is the…
Sturdy construction
Customized display with detailed information
Good battery capacity
HomePatrol features
Good signal reception and audio quality

On the downside…
A bit big and bulky
Many digital services are paid upgrades purchased separately.

Our Ratings
Build Quality: 8.5/10
Scanning Performance: 8.5/10
Audio Quality: 8/10
Features: 8.5/10
Value for Money: 8.5/10
Overall Rating: 9/10